Grenfell Co-Op hosts special sale for members

Grenfell Memorial Co-Op board of directors president John Budgell (right) lends a hand to the cashier, filling the bags of customers lining the check out aisle at the Co-Op on Feb. 8. - Stephen Roberts

Grenfell Memorial Co-Op board member Wallace Green (right) was one of the people to volunteer their time, filling grocery bags at the store. - Stephen Roberts

Snowfall didn’t keep members from filling the parking lot during the special sale held at the Grenfell Co-Op on Feb. 8. - Stephen Roberts

Decision to be made on whether to open again

ST. ANTHONY, NL – The aisles were crowded for the first time in years as the Grenfell Memorial Co-Op opened its doors for two days to sell off its remaining stock.

On Feb. 8 and 9, the store opened for a cash-only sale and all items were available at 30 per cent off for members only.

The sale came after the historic store announced it would be closing its doors after 105 years of business.

On Thursday morning, the parking lot was full, spilling over to the side of the road and into other parking areas.

Within the store, board members including president John Budgell were volunteering to help fill the bags of customers. They were plenty busy as members lined the aisles and packed the building.

It was business they hadn’t seen in years.

According to store manager Boyd Manuel, if they had seen this many people just once a week, the store would still be open.

As of Friday morning, it was yet to be determined whether the store would open for another day. Manuel said it depended on how much product was left over.

He said the board needed to discuss what to do next.

If they decide not to open it again for another final sale, Feb. 9 could very well be the last day anyone shops at the Grenfell Memorial Co-Op.